The former UK boss of Ssangyong, Kia, Mitsubishi and Daihatsu, Paul Williams, passed away suddenly following a short illness.
Tributes from former motor industry colleagues were published across social media following news of the 57-year-old’s death on Sunday (December 9).
Fleet News understands that Williams was taken ill after contracting Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, commonly known as CJD, which is said to affect just one-in-a-million people annually.
Paying tribute to Williams today (December 11), ASE managing director, Mike Jones, said: “Really sad to hear that Paul Williams has died. One of the industry's great characters who it was always great to catch up with. Enjoyed some very memorable NADA trips with him over the years. Thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Williams, who quit his job as the managing director of SsangYong in September last year after six years with the brand, had been managing director at Kia between 2002 and 2006 and previously worked as director of sales and marketing at Mitsubishi Motor UK between 1999 and 2002 following a period as the managing director of Daihatsu, from 1995 to 1999.
A statement issued by his family yesterday (December 10) said: “It is with great sadness that the death of Paul Williams has been announced by his family.
“Paul, 57, fell ill suddenly and died on Sunday in a hospice where he had been for just a few days.
“Paul had been involved in the motor industry since 1982 and worked for a number of brands.
“Most recently responsible for the return of SsangYong to the UK in 2007, he also played key management roles with Daihatsu, Mitsubishi and Kia.”
The statement added that arrangements for Williams’ funeral would be announced in due course.
Hepworth Motor Group managing director, Stephen Brighton, said that he had had the pleasure of knowing Williams from his early days with Daihatsu, both in and out of work. He decribed Williams as "a real character of the motor trade, both in how he worked and dressed - RIP Paul."
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A multi-award-winning news journalist, Tom is news and features editor for Bauer Media’s AM brand. His role demands he keep abreast of all industry and business news to provide coverage of the franchised automotive retail sector and the wider automotive industry, while assisting in the management of the magazine’s production and AM events.
DrJohn - 11/12/2018 12:42
Myself and a colleague worked closely with Paul when he was at Daihatsu, and later - so sorry to hear of his untimely death, yes, he was a character: enjoyed his motorcycles. RIP Paul.